CHAPTER 3

With a relaxed expression, Renn strolled through the quieter streets of Konoha.

His younger brother, perceptive as ever, had already handed him a cigarette.

The life of the Uchiha Police Force captain was indeed indulgent. After all, while they performed missions for rewards, their primary duty was maintaining order. Yet, in practice, Renn found his responsibilities rather lax.

His daily routine was simple yet fulfilling. In the morning, he sparred with Might Guy, keeping up his physical conditioning. Patrols followed, along with the collection of "protection fees." Afternoons included a short nap, and occasionally, he would take his subordinates to the pleasure district to unwind. Evenings were spent teasing Kurenai Yuhi, who had grown into a fine woman, or occasionally bothering Yūgao Uzuki from Anbu.

His life was straightforward, yet there was one thing Renn couldn't quite understand.

Why, in the original timeline, were the Uchiha Police Force so disliked by the villagers?

Ah.

"Brother, this is the Police Force," Renn mused. "Back in my old world, this level of authority would command unquestioned respect. Yet here, not only are they unappreciated, but they're outright despised. Who gave these villagers the nerve?"

Of course, the rot in Konoha's system ran deep. But in the end, the villagers were merely sheep. When Renn took charge, a few calculated moves were enough to shift their perception of the Police Force.

After all, while the Uchiha controlled the Police Force, their job was still law enforcement—something that, when done properly, demanded both fear and respect. In the original story, it seemed the Uchiha were too preoccupied with their pride. They carried themselves like untouchable elites, which naturally alienated them from the rest of the village.

Under Renn's reforms, that changed.

The current Police Force was now Konoha's dominant authority in public order.

And let's not pretend otherwise—any merchant who paid their dues to Renn received full protection from the Uchiha Police Force. No one dared cause trouble in their establishments. In fact, businesses had started voluntarily paying for protection, understanding that it was in their best interest.

As for troublemakers?

Please.

Did people seriously believe Konoha was full of saints like Naruto? Even Might Duy, the man who later became the legendary "Eternal Genin," had been ridiculed and mistreated in his early years.

The reality was simple: Konoha's higher-ups had long marginalized the Uchiha. The taxes collected by the village barely funded the Police Force. The Hokage's administration conveniently declared that since the Uchiha managed the Force, they should also finance it themselves.

How absurd.

A unit responsible for village security was denied proper funding and forced to rely on clan resources. Renn couldn't help but laugh when he first learned of this.

He wasted no time implementing a protection fee system.

The results were immediate. Not only did it provide the funds needed for a comfortable lifestyle, but it also allowed him to increase his officers' wages. Loyalty followed naturally. When people's interests were aligned, obedience became effortless.

And, most importantly, his actions were technically legal.

After all, Konoha's public safety policies were dictated by the village leadership. Renn simply took advantage of the system. No one could openly criticize him for collecting fees when the merchants willingly paid.

Thinking back on the Uchiha in the original timeline, Renn found them baffling. They controlled the Police Force yet never used it as a real tool of power. Instead, they wasted their days holding meaningless clan meetings until their inevitable downfall.

That was the Police Force!

If someone disrespected them, making their life difficult should have been effortless.

Shaking his head, Renn dismissed the thought. What mattered was that now, under his leadership, the Police Force was indisputably dominant. Anyone foolish enough to challenge them was signing their own death warrant.

"This really is corruption at its finest," Renn muttered, flicking away his cigarette. His younger brother quickly handed him a piece of chewing gum. Not far away, his vice-captain was busy collecting payments, adding to the seamless operation.

"Captain Renn! Deputy Captain Sanyo!"

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

Renn raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze toward the source.

Uchiha Sanyo, his vice-captain, was hurrying over with a serious expression.

"Report," Renn commanded, arms crossed.

"Sir! There's trouble at the weapon shop on 4th Street!"

Renn frowned. "Do I need to be informed about every minor incident?"

He had made it clear—businesses under his protection were untouchable. Anyone who caused trouble would face immediate consequences. The Police Force wasn't just for show. The Konoha jail was right next to their headquarters, and they had no qualms about filling it.

"Captain, this time it's a bit more complicated," the officer explained quickly.

"Fine. I've got nothing better to do anyway," Renn sighed. "Let's go take a look."

Renn waved his hand, too lazy to listen to his subordinate's rambling.

He wanted to see who had the audacity to cause trouble right under his nose.

The Fourth Street wasn't far, and Renn had a particular impression of the weapon shop there. He had passed by it before and recognized it from the original events in the story. The shop was managed by a girl named Tenten, though at this point in time, she was only four years old. Renn identified her immediately—the familiar hairstyle and the shop's distinctive look made it obvious.

At this moment, outside the weapon shop, the shopkeeper was engaged in a heated argument with a man who carried himself with an air of arrogance, his expression dark and oppressive.

Renn stroked his chin, listening in.

The younger Uchiha beside him was sharp and quickly explained the situation in a low voice, without unnecessary words.

Hmm…

To put it simply, it was a textbook case of coercion—an attempt at strong-arming a merchant into a sale.

Ordinarily, under standard protocol, the guards would have immediately detained the troublemaker. However, there was a complication—this particular offender had some level of political backing.

After all, in this world, lineage was power.

The man was some pampered brat accustomed to throwing his weight around. He hadn't brought enough money yet still wanted to walk away with the merchandise. The shopkeeper, unwilling to suffer a loss, tried to reason with him, but the young man was obviously beyond reason.

Normally, the Uchiha guards wouldn't concern themselves with a person's background—after all, could anyone's connections outweigh the Uchiha clan's?

But right now, the relationship between the Uchiha and the village was tense. That was why the subordinate hesitated to act without first reporting the matter to Renn.

It wasn't cowardice—it was discipline. The very first thing Renn had drilled into his men was the importance of following orders.

"Good work," Renn said, giving the Uchiha named Satoshi an approving glance.

Satoshi's face lit up with excitement, but Renn's next words made his expression stiffen, and he quickly stood at attention.

"The Konoha Administrative Code is subject to the Business Management Regulations. What does Article 7 say?" Renn asked, his voice calm and steady.

"Merchants under protection who are subjected to coercive sales—perpetrators are to be detained for 10 to 15 days, required to compensate the merchant for all damages, and fined 200,000 ryō by the guards!"

Satoshi's voice rang out loud and clear.

The commotion immediately caught the attention of the troublemaker and bystanders alike. People turned to see how the Uchiha, infamous for collecting 'protection fees,' would handle this situation.

"Not bad." Renn nodded approvingly before waving a hand dismissively, not even sparing the arrogant man a glance. "Go, teach him a lesson and set an example for the guards."

"Also, don't bring me trivial matters like this next time. Handle it according to protocol."

Satoshi blinked. Two big push pockets?

Oh—right. Big push pocket was just another term for a loud slap.

"Yes, sir!"

Satoshi's face twisted into a fierce grin as he stepped forward, locking his gaze onto the arrogant man.

"You… You dare to lay a hand on me?!" The young man fumed, pointing a trembling finger at Satoshi.

"My father is Mitokado Homura! Try hitting me, I dare you—"

SLAP!

The sharp crack echoed through the street.

Satoshi's expression was full of disdain.

Mitokado Homura's son?

Hah. Not only was he just a mere Hokage advisor's brat, but even if he were the Hokage's own son, if Renn gave the order, Satoshi would still strike without hesitation.

SLAP!

Another hard smack landed.

The offender was swiftly subdued.

Renn nodded, satisfied.

As expected of the Uchiha—if nothing else, their ability to 'resolve' matters was commendable.

"Well…" Renn mused. "Hokage advisor's son, huh? Must be pretty loaded."

He clicked his tongue. "What a big fish. And with such a solid background."

Turning to his men, he smirked.

"Spread the word—this kid gets special treatment. His father can pay double the ransom fee."